​Susana Najera immigrated to the United States from Mexico at the age of 12, and has endured significant financial and cultural struggles that motivated her to pursue higher education. 

Today, Susana is a first generation college student at San Diego State University, double-majoring in cellular and molecular biology and Spanish with a minor in chemistry.

During her time at San Diego State, Susana has joined 11 honor societies, been an active member of five campus organizations and contributed countless hours to volunteer work with underserved populations. Susana has conducted laboratory research at San Diego State, interned at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center, mentored middle and high school students and served as a STEM ambassador for local youth.

After graduation, Susana plans to complete a doctoral program focusing on infectious diseases and pursue a career in teaching at the university level and conducting clinical research in the biomedical sciences.​​